Pasadena In FocusMay - June 2012

Prepare Your Home and Family for an Earthquake

Make a plan. Planning ahead is the first step to a calmer and more assured disaster response. Develop your earthquake preparedness plan and evacuation plan with your family.

Put together a kit. What you have on hand when an earthquake strikes can make a big difference in the hours and days afterward. Plan to store enough supplies for everyone in your household for at least three days – and don’t forget about pets.

Make sure each bedroom has a working flashlight easily reachable. If a big quake hits at night, chances are there will be no lights working after the initial shake as you check on others and make your way to safety.

Take time now to locate “safe places” in each room of your home, such as under a sturdy table or desk or against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases and tall furniture that could fall.

Get training. Arrange for your neighborhood, business or group to receive Pasadena Emergency Response Team (PERT) training offered by the Pasadena Fire Department. You’ll learn disaster preparedness, first aid, fire suppression and light search and rescue. Call 626-744-7276 to arrange for your group’s training.